So what is a "smoothie bowl" anyway? Well, think of it as a thicker version of a traditional smoothie that you eat with a spoon rather than drink from a glass. It has all of that refreshing sweet and yummy goodness of a fruits-and-greens smoothie, but served in a bowl and topped with add-ons, such as something crunchy or a few fresh berries. It's just a bit more #extra.
Making a smoothie bowl is a super-simple, 10-minute, chop-and-blend process. It's especially delicious on a hot summer day when local farmers' markets are a feast of fresh seasonal produce, and you yearn for something lighter than ice cream, but still smooth, cold and sweet. It's a safe bet that your dog is also looking for a cool treat, and this is one idea that's perfect for both of you.
Recipe developer, cookbook author and food blogger Alison Lewis adjusted a basic smoothie bowl recipe using fresh and other ingredients (and omitted any additional sweeteners or dairy products) that are safe for pups to eat to make a healthy, nutrient-rich, naturally-sweet DIY dog treat. Note that in this video we doubled the recipe to feed a pack, but refer to the specific recipe below to make enough for one or two dogs to have an appropriate-sized treat (with a bit left over for day two).
Finally, we know once you get a wag of approval from your pup that you'll be thinking, "hey, I want a smoothie bowl, too." So, we've added instructions for a version for you with just a few pantry-ready swaps. Whether you make this in summer with fresh produce or in the dead of winter with ingredients from the frozen foods section of your grocery store, a smoothie bowl is great way to get the all the benefits of fruits and vegetables in a way that's fun for dog and humans alike to eat.
Ingredients
1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1/2 banana
1/3 cup chopped fresh or frozen pineapple chunks
1/4 cup chopped fresh spinach
2 tablespoons chopped frozen mango
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cucumber
1/2 to 1 cup ice
1 teaspoon fresh blueberries (optional)
Stella & Chewy's Stella's Super Beef Meal Mixers Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food Topper (optional)
Supplies
Cutting Board
Sharp knife
Measuring cups
Measuring spoons
Blender
Serving bowl and spoon
Yield:
2-4 servings
Serving size:
1/2 to 1 cup
Prep time:
10 minutes
Total time:
10 minutes
Instructions
1 Prep and chop all fresh ingredients into chunks for easy blending.
2 Add chicken broth, prepped fruits and vegetables (banana, pineapple, spinach, mango, cucumber) and ½ cup ice to a blender. Blend until smooth. Add more ice for thicker consistency.
3 Pour 1/2 to 1 cup of the finished smoothie into a dog bowl or small bowl. (Note: As with all treats, serving size will vary according to your dog's size and weight.)
4 Give it a nice crunch with a bit of crumbled Stella & Chewy's Stella's Super Beef Meal Mixers Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food Topper and up the nutrients even more with a few fresh blueberries (high in antioxidants) sprinkled over the prepared smoothie bowl. Serve immediately.
5 Looks so good, right? Adjust recipe to make a smoothie bowl for you, too!
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